Honey Boo Boo, garage sales, donuts and laundry

I really, really cannot stand poor customer service. And, this goes two ways — a sales associate who ignores their customer and a sales associate who latches onto their customer. I’ve recently dealt with both. I didn’t exist at the Macy’s (Colonie Center) watch counter and I got stalked at the Michael Kors outlet in Lee, MA. Both were equally as annoying and a major turn off.

Why is Honey Boo Boo so funny?! I know I really should be thinking things like, “oh, that family is unhealthy” and “oh, that family is not very smart” — but who cares? They’re so stinkin’ funny I can barely take it. And, really, the whole family gets along better than most families I’ve seen on TV — or know personally. So, they’re doing something right. And, they make their bellies talk. Sold.

Why do people sell adult clothing at garage sales? Really…come on. If you think there are people who need clothing that badly, then why don’t you donate them?! I shake my head each time I see a garage sale with tons o’ clothes … and nod each time I see someone putting the piles of clothes they didn’t sell back into their house. No one wants your pilly Fashion Bug sweater from 1999.

I had my first apple cider donut of the season. And, it was beyond amazing. I got it from Kristy’s Barn in Schodack. Kristy’s Barn is owned by the same people who owned Appleland. If you’re from/familiar with East Greenbush, you probably remember Appleland. I was obsessed with that place. I remember wanting to work there. I don’t know what it was — the simpleness of people buying food grown from the earth, or the smell of a barn filled with sweet fruits and vegetables. Probably both. But, really — apple cider donuts are heavenly. Now I want one or five.

This Honey Boo Boo animation is really distracting. As is the apple cider donut picture.

I had a bit of a dilemma the other night. I needed to do laundry. There were clothes in the washer AND the dryer. For 45 minutes. I knew I could either wait, or take the clothes out. I felt like 45 minutes was a long enough time and quite frankly — I was mad. So, I did it. It was awkward touching a stranger’s clothes, but I clenched my teeth and hurried, hoping they wouldn’t walk into the laundry room and see me with an armful of their unmentionables. Then, I wondered:

I don’t know, personally I’m laughing with them. They always say “this is who we are” and they seem pretty confident about that. America is pretty big, and I would be willing to bet that more people can relate to them on some level than you think.

My husband flipped back to Honey Boo Boo last night a few times. It is funny. But when they started talking about mom’s neck rust, I got skeeved out! Ewwwwww!!!! I was frozen in a skeeved out position for about 5 minutes.

Apple Cider donuts rule!

You did the right thing. You gave them a chance to grab their clothes; they didn’t so you went ahead.

It is ruder (?) to leave clothes in a washer/dryer after they are done. Other people need those machines! If the offender takes the clothes out when they’re done – then someone else won’t have to take them out! On top of that, I would’ve had to wash my hands like three times after touching someone else’s clothes. I guess a phobia to germs could be another whole blog though, huh?

This may say more about me than it does about them, but I feel shows like Honey Boo Boo are similar to watching the failed auditions during the first few episodes of American Idol. People are laughing at them – and what’s worse is the performers don’t seem to realize they’re being exploited for a laugh. The same may not be true of shows like Honey Boo Boo, but the reminder makes it impossible for me to enjoy.

It’s been a while since I shared laundry space, but definitely leaving your clothes is more rude. That’s an action you can control, and it shows a blatant disregard for everyone else. Removing someone else’s clothes from the machine is just a response, and is usually one we only do when we don’t have a choice.

One of the advantages of not having cable is that I won’t accidently get sucked into a show I know I will love and loathe at the same time.
The only rule with shared laundry machines are that if they are still running, you can’t mess with what’s inside. Everything else goes.

As a person who would literally set a timer on my phone to know exactly how long I had till my laundry was done, I have no issue moving peoples clothing out of the machine. My routine for laundry day was put in clothes, go to bar across the street for a pint, move laundry into dryer, go across the street for another pint, then go back and fold laundry.

The last time someone left their clothes in the washer and dryer at my apartment, I took their clothes out of the drier, folded the non-personal stuff (towels, sheets), and then took their clothes from the washer and put it in the drier and put quarters in to turn the dryer on. I was mad they had left their stuff but was feeling nice and figured the good karma benefits I would get from folding and paying for their dryer would be worth it. They were really appreciative and apologetic – said they completely forgot about their laundry.

Honey Boo Boo, I can’t take. Just can’t. Between the terrible diets, lack of concern for health or wellness, etc., it just makes me sick. I know plenty of people can relate to them, and that’s what worries me the most – that people can relate to that sort of crazy unhealthy lifestyle.

I fully expected to hate the Honey Boo Boo show and dislike all of the family members. However, after a couple of viewings I came to realize that while there are certainly things that could be improved in that family (namely, eating habits), they genuinely seem to care for each other and genuinely seem happy. Alana isn’t being forced to compete in the pageants, and perhaps most touching- Alana’s biological father isn’t the father of the other girls, yet he considers them all his daughters and they consider him to be their father. That’s better than many so-called “more enlightened” families out there.

Initially, I thought Honey Boo Boo was hilarious. Personal favorite was when Alana declared that the pig can be gay if he wants because it’s his decision. I love it. But, I’m sorry, after watching the mom show her kids the forklift foot — I threw up in my mouth a little. I mean there were little bugs living up in that thing. Gross, gross, gross. And what is the rust ring around her neck? That is definitely not beautimous.

I agree with you on the customer service. I am dreading making the phone call to TW telling them I am cancelling my Road Runner service (keeping my Basic cable) because the last time I made a service downgrade (Digital to Basic cable) I had to deal with the @$$ of a service rep trying to tell me all about the discount I qualified for. I mean, I know that having a customer calling up knowing EXACTLY what she wants to accomplish before dialing the phone is a novelty for them, but we do exist.

And it definitely is ruder to leave your clothes in the machine than to take them out.

Honey Boo Boo and the fam are making some bucks off of this venture,as did the Gossselin’s. They know that they are a bit different but they are exploiting themselves and having a lot of fun doing so. And,they are funny. Now,Dance Moms is a very different show where the moms allow their daughters to be treated like dirt and they treat each other with disdain. That is a cruel show.
As for the laundry-stay with your darn clothes so that you don’t inconvenience everyone else.

Oh the “Sketti” episode was just too much. The sauce made out of butter and ketchup. Groooooooos! I had expected to hate them all but I do have to agree with Amanda they do get along better than most families and seem genuinely happy.

Oh yes, let’s laugh at the filthy uneducated people who don’t have much money. We have to use them for entertainment, because people like that couldn’t possibly do anything productive with their lives! They’re too fat and ugly! Get out the trough and have them roll in that mud!

Of course, after I said that, I had to go to YouTube and watch them. And of course again, the *first* video I saw was them at the “Redneck Olympics” where people were jumping in huge pools of mud. As the video plays on, they’re sticking their heads in containers of water…

Forgive me for being so culturally out of it, but, I was just informed about Honey Boo Boo last week. So, last night, while surfing through the idiot box, I came across the station that bills itself as “The Learning Channel” and for 2 minutes, I watched one of the most pathetic, lowlife families on television that I’ve ever seen. I’m saddened how American tastes have just shrunk to the gutter. This “show” is laughable. But what is worse, is that people are making money on this crap.

This has got to be one of the most talked about shows from people in my class- this and Dance Moms. Since I don’t have cable, I haven’t seen any episodes but the premise of the show and what I’ve heard about it sounds so stupid. Did you know the family makes about $2,000-4,000 an episode? It’s not that close to what TLC paid for the Gosselin bunch and what they paid for the Duggars per episode but that’s still a good amount of money. Article is here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/05/honey-boo-boo-cast-salary-money-dollar-makes-me-holler_n_1857814.html

I think it’s more rude to keep your laundry in the washer or dryer than taking someone’s clothing out of the washer/dryer.

I don’t think anyone likes poor customer service. It’s hard to find exceptional service, and when I do, I make sure to tell the company from their website that an employee is doing excellent. Shoutout to Alyssa from American Eagle at Crossgates; she was awesome with the fitting rooms on Saturday- and she had to go home 6 minutes after I entered to try on jeans. She was very nice and willing to get a different size of jeans for me to try on.

America will stop at nothing for the next “big” reality TV show. Seriously, there are shows out there for everything! Now don’t get me wrong, I watch my fair share of TV or ‘reality’ TV (if you can call them that) shows, but it has gone too far – there were the Gosselin’s, now Honey Boo Boo, and Hoarders, Sister Wives (come on, seriously?!) and then there are the MTV shows (don’t even get me started there). It makes me sick sometimes to see what shows there are out there for our kids to watch. Thankfully, my daughter is old enough to know that some of these are just down right wrong (or disgusting or whatever you want to call them).

As for the laundry… it is a courtesy of an aapartment bldg to have a laundry room – it is not required… therefore, one should not leave there clothes for more than a few minutes after they stop (you need a grace period).

I loved the beginning of the Redneck Olympics episode where she has to wake the girls up…at 11:30!!! And she proceeds to brag that when they dont have a pageant to practice for they “sleep until 12:00, 1:00, sometimes even 2:00″!! Omg! C’mon….yeah, it’s easy for us to laugh at these people, but that is actually their lives! And the daughter…17 and pregnant?!?! Part of the “47%”…sad.

I have such mixed emotions about Honey Boo Boo and her family.
On one hand although their fun is Redneck Olympics and games where you guess whose breath is being blown in your face – they seem like a close family that actually get along!
While we scoff at them they are scoffing at us going to a trendy bar and sipping a martini.
Different strokes for different folks!
What I don’t like is that Alana is being taught that the more outrageous she is – the more she farts and burps the more attention she gets. She’s too young to know what kind of attention she is getting, and this will not serve her well later in life.

LOL— I thought you were talking about your OWN Laundry!! Sometimes I’ll take 45 minutes just getting to take out my own laundry before I can switch over whats in the washing machine becasue then I have to fold it, before I can do another load.

Rockstar Momma – the laundry room/facilities are most likely factored into rent. So, it’s not like one day a laundry room just appeared and management was like, “oh! sure, I guess you could use it” – plus you often have to pay to do the laundry.

Honey Boo Boo video reminds me about how we teach kids to give themselves insulin shots fot their diabetes. That roll of abdominal fat comes in handy for those kids. When we give that instruction, we do so knowing our patients likely have kidney failure and dialysis in their future, as little as 15 years down the road.

I would just like to defend the Macy’s watch counter by saying that it may seem like you are being ignored there sometimes, but as a former employee of Macy’s (not the watches and jewelry though) I know that is often not the case. This is why: IT IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN! There are technically two counters, one for the pricey, fancy watches and one for the mediocre watches (which are still expensive). The one that faces the cosmetics section is the mediocre section. The people that work at that counter also work at the fashion jewelry counters on the OTHER side of the escalators which is really dumb. Because of the opposite locations of these counters they never know when someone is over there. Which is most likely why you felt ignored. Also the people who work at the pricey watch counter wont even look at the customers at the mediocre counter. They are kind of aloof. Like I said, bad design. Sorry you had to deal with that!

FE – I agree with you, but unfortunately, the sales associate was standing right in front of me – talking and shopping with an apparent friend/acquaintance who stopped in to buy a “cheap day watch.” Had I not already seen a sales associate, I would have walked around to find one.

I’m sorry but I have to agree with Amanda. Went there last year on a rainy day to buy makeup. Two sales girls talking across the counter about their night out. No other customers around and was ignored. Finally went to Estee Lauder counter where the salesperson was helpful and attentive. I now am a faithful customer. Chanel your loss.

Yes, Macy’s employees need to learn that personal conversations and their restocking/rehanging duties come AFTER the waiting customer is served. And please don’t interpret this complaint as “follow me around while I shop” if you are reading this.

ErinsDad…Well, I guess that’s typical that the medical community supplies the medicine sans the education. Figure that they have the internet, so if they cared enough, they’ll look up how to take care of themselves there.

Adult clothes at garage sales?
– Works for us! All of my family’s clothes come from garage sales or thrift shops. I shop the better neighborhoods & find great clothes for work. There’s lots of Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, etc. at garage sales for a fraction of their original prices. Last weekend I scored a bag full of J.Crew (ladies size small) for my 16 year old daughter. The whole bag was $5. My daughter washed all of it, fixed a small tear in one of the shirts & put together outfits that she’s worn to school this week. My 4 kids have grown up at garage sales and have nicer clothes that we’d be able to afford at the mall. We’ve taught them that it’s a green effort – recycling clothing & $aving money.

People watch shows like Honey whatever because it makes them feel better about themselves.
Like Jeff Foxworthy says, ” If you’re feeling bad about yourself, go to the State Fair!”
I like to watch Hoarders cause it makes me feel so normal and healthy.

Nadim in the men’s dept at Macy’s in Colonie Center is the most amazing salesperson I have encountered in a long while – he helped me to get a beautiful suit, shirt, tie, belt for my teenage son this past weekend. It was awesome working with him. He even taught my son to tie a tie. Patient, polite, helpful, and knew his inventory and how to size. My son looks so handsome. My son hates to shop and said he loved the experience.

Honey Boo Boo and family do not give a rat’s behind if we are laughing with them or at them – a dolla makes me holla. They can afford to pay for pageants now! I agree, they get along and truly love each other in their own unique way. They are funny, too. And they laugh at themselves. More power to them. I have tuned in a few times – they kind of grow on you.

Jeff Foxworthy is right about the state fair crowd by the way. Also good places to feel good about oneself: Walmart (www.peopleofwalmart.com) and bowling alleys. I’ve never felt so slim.

Cider donuts are my downfall. I cannot stop at one. Especially if they are hot or accompanied by hot cider. I have to say out loud to myself: STEP AWAY FROM THE DONUTS!

As for laundry, I used to live in an apartment complex with 12 apartments and one washer and dryer. What frosted me more than advancing someone’s laundry were the retired senior citizens who were home all week and had all day to do laundry during the week who decided that Saturday or Sunday or night time would be the ideal time to do laundry and all the working people had to compete with them. Sorry but that is very selfish. I will get off my soapbox now.

Enjoy the randomness of this blog – feel like discussions can be about anything

Amanda – Honey Boo Boo is exactly as you described – they are well aware of how they are perceived and they own it. That clip of her and her tummy (“This big ole’ thing!”) is hysterical. Better to see her like that then worrying about being thin (healthy would be a better goal but that’s probably beyond her control as she’s not old enough to cook her own meals.)

I also agree about the customer service – one extreme or another – you either don’t exist or they stalk you to the fitting room (then pick out clothes for you and constantly bring them to you even though you’ve clearly already selected your own stuff.)

I did laundry last night and am constantly worried I’ll find myself in the dilemma you described. What I found was that someone had done just what you did – emptied someone else’s clothes. I did laundry for two hours and the clothes that had been taken out were never claimed – not ever put in the dryer – and they STUNK. I’ve forgotten my clothes for a few minutes after they’ve been done but who forgets they put laundry in at all? They may never get that smell out. Whenever things are for communal use, you should be mindful of the time you are allotted and claim your stuff. (I also got questioned at work about leaving my food in the microwave too long – I wouldn’t have been offended if the person had simply removed my food to cook their own.)

Laugh “at” Honey Boo Boo or “with” them … it needn’t matter, because the family is laughing all the way to the bank. It’s can’t peel your eyes away from the debauchery allure will net them a HUGE second season paycheck.

Sorry about the poor customer service experience at Macy’s. I shop there frequently and usually they are pretty good but I have had a couple ignorers as well. And, when I say “I’m just looking”, that’s code for … “I’ll get you when I need you. Until then, give me some space.”

I’ve always been lucky when it comes to laundry. I’ve never had to go to a laundry mat so my knowledge of the code of conduct in the public arena of cleaning one’s garments is limited. Knowing that, I’d still say what you did wasn’t rude at all.

@#20 Mark … Loosen’ up kid! It’s a tad indulgent to pity the “direction” our nation is going based on our viewing habits. People are naturally drawn to watch such crazy antics. The whole moth to the flame thing. Now personally, I sometimes have to turn off The Boo Boo because with too much exposure, June haunts my dreams. That broad scares the bajesus out of me.

Shannon,
It’s important to remember that the Goselings weren’t paid gross amounts of money their first season on tv either. It’s ratings and demand that drive the value of future TV contracts. Looks like they’ll get a big pay day when they renegotiate. Much like the cast of Jersey Shore did.

You better “redneckonize”!!!! Honey Boo Boo is awesome! At first, I thought it would be funny because of the supposed WT factor, but upon watching it, I discovered Mama June has a really normal family there. I’m impressed at how well they get along, how much fun they have and how they give to charity, even though they don’t have much. Totally non-pretentious fun! Dare I say we could learn something from them?

I worked in customer service for many years. Within the past month, I had one ice cream place and one dry cleaners who thought it was too much effort to wear an unstained shirt and say thank you and have a nice day with a smile. I guess it’s expecting too much, but I like to have a nice conversation with sales people. It give me reason to come back. If store owners knew what was important in order to keep customers, I’m sure they’d be very surprised. Needless to say, I won’t be going back to those places. I wonder if I say something if they’ll change their way of doing things?

I just watched some clips of honey boo boo over the weekend. I thought it was hillarious. But then I got very sad… honey boo will be in cardiac arrest within the next year if she keeps drankin that got dang go go juice!!

As for the laundry, I always used to get nervous that I’d come back to find my laundry messed with after taking out someone’s clothes. So I’d guiltily fold it hoping it made them less likely to eff up my stuff.

Ick on Honey Boo Boo, with you on poor customer service, ick on clothing at garage sales (but I recently bought clothing for my children at a consignment store), yum on cider donuts–you should try Fo’Castle in Burnt Hills–best ever.
As for laundry, it’s rude for them to leave it in a machine for that long. I used to feel guilty for moving people’s stuff, so I would move it to the dryer and pay for it, or I would fold it from the dryer, and in both cases I’d leave a note. In college I had my stuff pulled out of a dryer, wet, and thrown all over the floor, and I never forgot it. I don’t ever leave my clothing unattended in a community laundry facility.